CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

JS Portrait of Joel Stephens

Joel Stephens

Practical, compassionate therapy grounded in evidence

LCSW, LICSW Washington

Experience
25 years in practice
Focus areas
Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Joel

About Joel

Joel Stephens is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who brings 25 years of clinical experience to his telehealth practice in Washington.

Background and approach

He integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with acceptance and client-centered perspectives to help people build practical skills, clarify values, and move through difficult life moments with greater ease. Joel emphasizes warmth and an empathic stance while offering structured tools that support changes in thinking, behavior, and emotional coping.

His work focuses on relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and coping with life changes, alongside related issues such as attachment and abandonment, caregiver stress, chronic pain or illness, communication problems, and midlife questions. Joel uses elements of solution-focused and trauma-focused methods to tailor sessions to each person's immediate needs and long-term goals.

He describes therapy as a collaborative process, guiding clients to develop resilience, rediscover meaning, and find clearer direction at their own pace.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care

Joel frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in online work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and developing practical strategies to change them, which can be useful for depression, panic, or mood concerns. ACT centers on clarifying personal values and learning acceptance and mindfulness skills to act toward what matters even in the presence of difficult emotions, which can help with grief, life transitions, and chronic stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist works collaboratively with each client to determine what combination of techniques best fits their needs, goals, and preferences. Sessions can emphasize skill-building, values exploration, or trauma-focused processing depending on what the client and therapist agree will be most helpful.

Online therapy with Joel is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats allow consistent access to licensed professionals and make it easier to maintain continuity of care while managing everyday responsibilities.

Frequently asked questions

What types of concerns does Joel commonly address?
He works with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and coping with life transitions, plus related topics such as abandonment, attachment issues, and caregiver stress.
What is Joel's therapeutic style and approach?
His approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with acceptance-based and client-centered techniques, offering both structured skill work and an empathic, collaborative stance.
How long has he been practicing?
Joel has twenty-five years of clinical experience working with adults on a range of emotional and relational concerns.
What credentials and regions does he hold?
He is licensed as LCSW and LICSW, with the license details OR LCSW L16988 and WA LICSW LW00007198, and he practices in Washington.
Can people who speak other languages work with him?
Sessions are offered in English only, and he is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available for online work?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Cost varies depending on location and therapist availability; services use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefDepressionCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsDivorce and separationForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPregnancy and childbirthWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Solution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Oregon, Washington, Nebraska

Languages

English